So I’ve been thinking. How many here would love to get out
west for big game hunt (elk, mule deer etc). I know it’s something that I’d
like to get done at some point in my life and with the great group of people we
have here, I’d like to pose a question:

If you could get time off, would you be open to going out
west for a week long hunt of some sort? This would be at least 2 years away, if
not more, but it’s something I don’t know if I can talk my friend or dad into
doing or not.

It’s a big proposition and commitment but I figured it would
be worth to throw out there. This place has a great collection of people who
really enjoy shooting, hunting etc and I’d be absolutely willing to venture out
on something like this.

I posted a poll with some different options above. Let me
know if you have any interest at all, in possibly working towards making
something happen.

Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum

"And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts. And I looked, and behold a pale horse, and his name that sat on him was Death, and hell followed with him."

I just need to know whether it's a possibility for some of the regulars here to go on a trip. We can go as low as anyone needs to price wise. Public land is abundant and im sure there are fellow OTers from areas out west who could help point us in the right direction if need be. Obviously chances at harvesting a good elk, deer etc go up if you can get to a reliable outfitter, but again, we have to work within the confines of each persons wallet.

Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum

"And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts. And I looked, and behold a pale horse, and his name that sat on him was Death, and hell followed with him."

I think a Elk hunt in Montana would be great.. Yes we have Elk here Oregon and some guys get them every year (Bulls) but not like Montana has them. We just have to many people out there hunting on public land.. Its just a damn Zoo really and I have no access to private land where the Elk are thick.

I could probably go, but it would have to be 2 years from now. This next year, I'm hoping to go deer hunting with Brandon, and later Wes. My issue is always whether or not I have enough vacation time from work to go do all the things I want to do any given year.

I'm open to hunting most anywhere as long as it doesn't cost a fortune. I would just need a firm commitment and a good plan, and as long as I have vacation time available, I'm in.

Ted

Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle.

Graham, i think talking with helo about doing some public land hunting out his way could be a diamond in the rough. The issue some may have (myself included to a degree) is pricing of an outfitter. You figure anywhere from 3-5 grand and that usually doesn't include tags/license fees + travel costs. Now you usually get what you pay for but again, i'd rather make this work on a budget than not have a chance in hell if it comes down to it.

Ted, i don't want to piggyback on the people you hunt with in Colorado but could public land there be an option? If not, i totally understand, guess im just looking for a foot in the door so to speak.

Si Vis Pacem Para Bellum

"And I heard a voice in the midst of the four beasts. And I looked, and behold a pale horse, and his name that sat on him was Death, and hell followed with him."

if we went some where in western wyoming i could use my dad's hunting stuff, he has two big wall tents and a nice wood stove to keep it warm. he also has a propane stove with oven that goes with it. the one wall tent is for sleeping, the other is for a "cook shack"

Ted, i don't want to piggyback on the people you hunt with in Colorado but could public land there be an option? If not, i totally understand, guess im just looking for a foot in the door so to speak.

There's plenty of public land in CO, and I've hunted in quite a few different locations throughout the state. It's easy to find a place to go, and is about the least expensive way you can elk hunt. The only problem with public land elk hunting in CO is most of the public land gets fairly heavy hunting pressure, and truly nice bulls are hard to find except in extremely remote areas that are hard to get to. I go to CO because it is less expensive than other options and because I've been to the area I hunt often enough that I know it fairly well. It's not a good area for trophy quality. I would say a 300 class bull is a real trophy in most public land areas in CO. Private land and limited draw areas such as near Estes Park / Rocky Mtn. Nat'l Park have good trophy quality, but they are harder and more expensive to get into. But, if you go with the mindset of just having fun and enjoying the company of friends, hunting in some pretty country, accepting upfront that your chances of getting a "nice" bull are pretty slim, it's still worthwhile to hunt the public land... at least in my opinion.

Edited by RifleDude - October/15/2010 at 22:44

Ted

Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle.

Ted, i don't want to piggyback on the people you hunt with in Colorado but could public land there be an option? If not, i totally understand, guess im just looking for a foot in the door so to speak.

There's plenty of public land in CO, and I've hunted in quite a few different locations throughout the state. It's easy to find a place to go, and is about the least expensive way you can elk hunt. The only problem with public land elk hunting in CO is most of the public land gets fairly heavy hunting pressure, and truly nice bulls are hard to find except in extremely remote areas that are hard to get to. I go to CO because it is less expensive than other options and because I've been to the area I hunt often enough that I know it fairly well. It's not a good area for trophy quality. I would say a 300 class bull is a real trophy in most public land areas in CO. Private land and limited draw areas such as near Estes Park / Rocky Mtn. Nat'l Park have good trophy quality, but they are harder and more expensive to get into. But, if you go with the mindset of just having fun and enjoying the company of friends, hunting in some pretty country, accepting upfront that your chances of getting a "nice" bull are pretty slim, it's still worthwhile to hunt the public land... at least in my opinion.

I want to hunt elk from Helo's helicopter that way it can carry the thing back out. The alternative could be to eat it there. Packing one out of the mountains in quarters in not a job for the faint of heart. Probably why those outfitters with horses and mules are so popular huh.

"Always do the right thing, just because it is the right thing to do".Bobby Paul DohertyTexas Ranger

Just remember that Elk hunting is a low-success hunt. The average success rate in MT is around 10-15 percent. Elk hunting is a highly physical challenge. Elk are smart, and spend much of their time far from the roads. If you are planning a public land elk hunt in MT prepare by getting in the best shape of your life.

If you are looking at a higher success rate and a less strenuous hunt, I would recommend an Eastern MT mule deer hunt. There is a lot of BLM land and thousands upon thousands of acres of private land open to the public through the Block Management program. There are often a lot of antlerless opportunities as well in some areas, if you are really looking to fill up the pickup bed. Whitetails are also common, and in most areas your deer tag would be good for either species.

We have an Elk lease in Colorado. Costs $12,000 a year but there are 4 seasons. Enough land to hunt 3 or 4 on each season so the cost goes down to $3,000 each season when spread out it is $1,000 or less. Of course the Colorado Bull tag is $531.00. But the advantages are many. Private land so you know who is hunting where. Not much hunting on adjacent acreage. Old trailer to stay in.

We've had a 360 and a 340 plus many more shot. Here's a couple of pics

The first season and fourth season is draw and you have to put in by the first week in April, the second and third seasons are over the counter. We have always get drawn in the past because it is private land. However the fourth season they have started issuing just cow tags.

I've been on one of those trips where you get 5 or 6 guys and carry tents and everything including the company sink and set up in public land. The next day we discovere there were 2 other camps with half a dozen guys within a 1/4 mile of us. Hike in for the hunt, find a good overlook, sit down and start glassing and see orange on almost every ridge. That can be discouraging. Better to save your money and go on a guided or limited access hunt IMO.

I've been on one of those trips where you get 5 or 6 guys and carry tents and everything including the company sink and set up in public land. The next day we discovere there were 2 other camps with half a dozen guys within a 1/4 mile of us. Hike in for the hunt, find a good overlook, sit down and start glassing and see orange on almost every ridge. That can be discouraging. Better to save your money and go on a guided or limited access hunt IMO.

Very true. That is the reality of hunting much of the public forest service land. But, I would still rather do that than being at work! Still, if you're willing to walk further from the roads than 75% of the hunters out there, and you're willing to do your homework, you can get into some o.k. hunting on public land at times. But then, you also have further to pack out anything you shoot.

If you have the contacts and can afford it, leasing private land, going on guided hunts, or otherwise getting into limited access land that limits hunting pressure is definitely the way to go if you want a better than average animal, whether it be elk, deer, whatever.

Ted

Money can't buy happiness... but it's much more comfortable to cry in a Porsche than on a bicycle.

Come on out to Montana. I can get horses (depending on how many are wanting to come), tents gear, and stuff that a typical outfitter would have. The downside to Montana is that general combo (deer/elk) tags are only drawing ( although doing a part application helps) and it is spendy (640 or more) for out of state people. There is plenty of public land, and with horses, it is easy to get away from people for the most part.

To be prepared for War is one of the most effectual means of preserving peace.

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